Tag Archives: MLB

The Cubs have won game two, earning a split of the first two games, as the series shifts to the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. Jake Arrieta showed why he is the reigning Cy Young Award winner. Arrieta did not allow a hit until one out in the sixth inning. In five and a third innings pitched, Arrieta allowed only two hits and one run, while striking out six and walking three.

On the other hand, the Indians’ Trevor Bauer was never able to really settle in, as he went three and two thirds innings, allowing a run in the first inning, and one in the third inning. through his three and two three innings of work, Bauer allowed two runs, both earned, on six hits, two walks, and striking out two all while throwing 87 pitches.

The two main cogs of the Chicago Cubs lineup tonight were the bats of Ben Zobrist and Kyle Schwarber. In four at bats, Zobrist reached base three times, and recording two hits, (one a RBI triple). Schwarber continued his World Series offensive production, as he went 2 for 4, with a walk, two RBIs and a run scored.

Cleveland’s only scoring came in the sixth inning, when with one out, Jason Kipnis doubled to right field. That was followed by a Francisco Lindor groundout that moved Kipnis to third with two outs; then, with Mike Napoli batting, Arrieta fired a wild pitch, scoring Kipnis from third.

With that, the 2016 World Series moves to Chicago and Wrigley Field; the first time a Fall Classic game has come to Wrigley Field since 1945. Cleveland will turn to Josh Tomlin to ruin the Cubs home coming; while, Kyle Hendricks will look to put Chicago up 2 games to one. Game 3 comes your way Friday on FOX at 5:00PM PT from Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Following a victory in Game 1, the Indians will look to righty Trevor Bauer to put the Cubs in a 2-0 hole. Chicago wil hand the ball to their ace Jake Arrieta to split the series before heading to the Windy City.

Once again, it may be pitching that defines whether the Cubs gain a split in Cleveland or the Cubs go down 2-0 in this best of seven series.

This season, in 31 games, Arrieta posted an 18-8 record. In 197.1 innings pitched, he struck out 190, walking only 76 and giving up a mere 16 home runs on his way to recording a 3.10 ERA. Over his career in the postseason, Arrieta has shown that he is one of the best overall pitchers in the Major Leagues.

Trevor Bauer pitched in 35 games this year putting up a 12-8 record. In 190 innings pitched, Bauer posted a 4.26 ERA while striking out 168 hitters, walked 70, giving up 20 homers. Bauer has had a brief career in the postseason. His second start was cut short due to a injured right pinkie finger. However brief his postseason experience may be, he has still been solid in his opportunities. Cleveland would not have made it to the World Series were it not for the clutch pitching of Trevor Bauer.

You can catch all of World Series Game 2 on FOX beginning in just minutes at 4:00PM PT in Cleveland. Log on to www.kpaysports.com for postgame analysis.

Behind a tremendous performance from Corey Kluber, the Cleveland Indians have taken Game one of the 2016 World Series. The storyline of this game became the tale of two starters. Put simply, Corey Kluber was on his game; while, Jon Lester did not have his best stuff.

Perhaps, the difference in the game, came in the very first inning. It was clear, from the beginning, what Cleveland’s plan was against Lester. Following a Francisco Lindor two out single and subsequent steal, Lester proceeded to walk back to back hitters, loading the bases. He would then give up an infield RBI single to Jose Ramirez and hit Brandon Guyer on an 0-2 pitch, en route to a two run frame. The Indians would never look back as they would tack on a run in the fourth; with the knockout punch coming on a three run bomb from Roberto Perez.

The Cubs had their chances, as they left a total of 9 men on base and were 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position. Chicago’s best chance came in the seventh inning when, with the bases loaded and nobody out, Andrew Miller retired the bottom third of the Cub lineup in order. Chicago would again rally in the eighth, only to see a strikeout of Schwarber end the threat. Cody Allen would then come in and close it out.

The Cubs will look to even the series as they hand the ball to Jake Arrieta. Cleveland will counter with righty Trevor Bauer. Game time has been moved up an hour due to threats of rain in the area. Game 2 comes your way from Progressive Field Wednesday at 4:00PM PT on FOX. Log on to www.kpaysports.com for pre and postgame analysis of game two.

Important To Note:

In the process of giving his team a 1-0 series edge, Kluber became the first pitcher in postseason history to strikeout eight batters in the first three innings.

With a win in Game 1 , Indians manager, Terry Francona, remains undefeated at 9 and 0, in World Series play.

With home runs in the fourth and eighth innings, Roberto Perez becomes the first Indians player to hit two home runs in a World Series.

In his second Major League at bat since April 7th, Kyle Schwarber collected his first hit of 2016, a double off of the right-center field wall.

Is it fitting that the two closers that the Yankees traded will be playing against each other in the World Series? Whatever the case, as a fan of sports, this may be the greatest Championship there has ever been. Lets get HYPED!!!!

With a 5-2 win over the Giants in Game 2, the Cubs have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in this best of five NLDS. On the brink of elimination, San Francisco must channel those Giants of 2012. Before sweeping the Detroit Tigers in the 2012 World Series, the Giants were on the brink of elimination in both the NLDS and NLCS.

The game may have turned out differently had Jeff Samardzija had the ability to remain in the game longer. Samardzija lasted just two innings, giving up four earned runs en route to a 18.00 ERA.

The Giants only scoring came in the third inning by way of a Gregor Blanco RBI double and a Brandon Belt sacrifice fly. That would be the last time a Giant baserunner would cross the plate, San Francisco was stymied by a combination of Kyle Hendricks and the Cub bullpen.d

Kyle Hendricks pitched brilliantly before being removed from the game following a two out Angel Pagan two out liner struck Hendricks on his throwing arm. After the play ended and Angel Pagan was ruled safe at first, Hendricks was attended to by the medical staff and removed from the contest. Hendricks was replaced by Travis Wood. Maddon’s decision to replace Hendricks with Wood paid off in more ways than one, as Wood would come up in the bottom of the inning and launch a solo homerun into the left field seats. Chicago’s bullpen bridged the gap between Hendricks and Aroldis Chapman, as they fired five and a third innings of shutout baseball, handing the ball over to Chapman in the ninth, who retired the Giants in order to slam the door on Game 2.

The Giants will send Madison Bumgarner to the hill to square off against Chicago ace Jake Arrieta in Game 3. San Francisco returns to action on Monday, as the NLDS is set to resume at AT&T Park in San Francisco. You can catch every pitch of Game 3 at 6:30 PM PT on FS1 and Fox Deportes. Pre and post game analysis will not be available for Game 3.

After a gut wrenching Game 1 loss to the Chicago Cubs, the Giants look to bounce back and even up the series at a game a piece. San Francisco will send, former Cub, Jeff Samardzija to the mound. He will be opposed by Cub right hander, Kyle Hendricks.

Samardzija, who broke into the Major Leagues with the Cubs, spent 7 years (2008-2014) with Chicago. Asked why he came to San Francisco, Samardzija responded in essence that he wanted to be a part of the even year magic. Now is his chance to put his mark on the postseason. This season, Samardzija posted a 12-11 record, 3.81 ERA, 167 strikeouts, and 54 walks in 203.1 innings pitched over 32 games.

Kyle Hendricks, in just his third season in the Major Leagues, filed a 16-8 record, 2.13 ERA, 170 strikeouts, to go along with 44 free passes in 190 innings pitched over 31 contests.

It is not often that a player with only two years in the big leagues, has more postseason experience than a 9 year veteran, but that is the case. Samardzija’s only postseason experience came in his rookie year with the Chicago Cubs. On the other hand, Kyle Hendricks has been in the last two postseasons with the Cubs.

Below are how these two pitchers matchup in the postseason:

The action comes your way at 5:00 PM PT on MLB Network or listen to it on KNBR 680. Log on to www.kpaysports.com for the postgame analysis after the game.

As they did so often in the regular season, tonight’s game between the Giants and Cubs was decided by one run. In Game 1 of the NLDS, the Giants fell to the Chicago Cubs by a final of 1-0. The difference in the game was a Javier Baez solo homerun.

With the game scoreless through seven and a half innings, Johnny Cueto, who was spectacular on the road in one of the most hitter friendly ballparks in Major League Baseball. However, one pitch did him in; a 3-2 pitch, which Baez promptly mashed over the left field wall. That was all that Jon Lester needed as he blanked San Francisco through eight innings; turning it over to flame throwing closer Aroldis Chapman in the ninth. Chapman, who gave up a two out double to Buster Posey, slammed the door by striking out Hunter Pence to end it.

The story of the game for San Francisco may be missed opportunities. The Giants put their leadoff man on in each of the first three innings. Two of the three leadoff runners were soon erased by way of a caught stealing and a pickoff.

The Giants best chance to score came in fourth inning, when, with one out, Buster Posey singled to left. One hitter later, Pagan would shoot a two out double over the head of the left fielder. Had Buster Posey not been the runner at first, the Giants surely would have scored. As it was, with runners on second and third, Brandon Crawford grounded out on an 0-2 pitch to end the threat.

Tune into FS1 or KNBR 680 for Game 2 action at 5:00 PM PT to catch all of the action from Wrigley Field. As always, log on to www.kpaysports.com for pre and post game analysis.

The San Francisco Giants are set to take on the Chicago Cubs in the first game of the NLDS on Friday. With a win already under their belts, San Francisco looks to continue their winning ways as they send Johnny Cueto to the hill to face off against the Cubs’ Jon Lester.

This season, Jon Lester pitched to the tune of a 19-5 record with a 2.44 ERA, 197 strikeouts and 52 walks in 202.2 innings pitched over 32 games. The Giants’ Johnny Cueto amassed an 18-5 record with a 2.79 ERA, 198 strikeouts, and 45 walks in 219.2 innings over 32 games. Of those 18 wins, five were complete games.

Each game that the Giants and Cubs played this regular season was tight. In seven games against Chicago, San Francisco posted a 3-4 record. In the season series, six of the seven games were decided by two runs or fewer. The Cubs outscored the Giants by a total of 23 to 17. Throughout the seven games, there was only one shutout recorded, a Madison Bumgarner shutout on May 22, 2016.

Important to note, is the fact that, the Cubs won 103 games during the regular season. As a result, the Cubs did not play a necessarily meaningful game for about a month. Also important is the fact that, last year, the Kansas City Royals, after a few poor starts, did not allow Cueto to pitch on the road during the postseason. However, it is October and as any baseball fan knows, anything can happen. Below are the side by side comparisons of the postseason careers of Johnny Cueto and Jon Lester:

You can watch all of NLDS Game 1 action, tomorrow, on FS1 beginning at 6:00 PM PT or you can listen to the play-by-play on KNBR 680. Following the game, log on to www.kpaysports.com to see the postgame analysis.

With the National League falling to the American League in the 2016 All Star Game at Petco Park, they have also surrendered home field advantage for the upcoming World Series. While not having home field advantage in the Fall Classic is a daunting task, the San Francisco Giants know what it takes to win on the road, on the biggest of stages.

In their historic five year run, in which they have won three titles, San Francisco has not clinched a single World Series at home. According to www.baseball-reference.com, in 2010, the Giants claimed a 4-1 series victory in Arlington. In 2012, San Francisco would sweep the Detroit Tigers, at Comerica Park, 4-0. In 2014, perhaps their most stressful World Series yet, the orange and black would take care of business at Kauffman Stadium against the Royals in Game 7.

So, if the Giants don’t make it this year; perhaps, whoever does claim the NL crown, can take a page from the Giants playbook.

This week we break down some of the exciting match-ups from last weekend. The “Classic” played between Pleasant Valley and Valley Christian. The thriller at Harrison between Paradise and Encinal. And, we look at wins by Foothill, Anderson and West Valley.

We also preview one of the more competitive weekends in years in high school football with Shasta hosting West Valley, Lassen at Foothill, Red Bluff at Orland, Colusa at Durham, Maxwell and Fall River and two (3-0) teams going at it in Willows and Williams

The Biggs Wolverines were ready to celebrate. With 6:04 remaining they had just completed a 9-minute drive to grab a 21-7 lead over the defending Division V champion Fall River Bulldogs.

But the heart of a champion should never be underestimated. The Bulldogs would drive 60 yards in 2:55 seconds to cut the deficit to 21-14. Then, after recovering an on-side kick the Bulldogs were trying to pull off one of the great comebacks in North Section Championship history. With no timeouts the Bulldogs had a 1st and goal from the Biggs 7 yard line. After a couple of runs nudged the ball to the 3, Fall River’s chances looked to be dim after a fumbled snap. What would follow would be some of the most dramatic North Section Championship football in years.

Check out the video below as we provide the play-by-play as heard right here on KpaySports.com and the KpaySports app……